Life. Love. Lipstick.

I love, LOVE this bride’s funky style.  She looks demure and pretty, then she kicks up her clunky black patent shoes and we see her fun side.  This wedding is simple and gorgeous at the same time.  And you must go see the entire blog post on Jake Holt’s blog, because he perfectly captured the love in the ceremony, and the fun at the reception!

I have been building my blogroll for this new domain for two days.  I am happy to say I am complete with Phase 1.  Phase 2 is rebuilding my Photography Blogs page.   It really takes a lot of time to do that one, but it sooo needs to be updated!

Once I get all that in order, I can finally start posting some of the new things I’ve been saving up for you all!

Sometimes I run across a photographer I’ve never heard of, and seriously get almost angry that I didn’t know about them! Well, that just happened to me again.  This time I discovered Matt Paddack via the wonder that is twitter.

If you’re like me and and have been missing out on Paddack Photography, here are a few of my favorite images from his blog.

While I wouldn’t actually give mouse pads as favors, I love this as an idea for a couple to pay tribute to meeting online.  Dustin and I met online, and I’d totally use the “we clicked” theme on invitations and other wedding stationery.

Mouse pad favors found here.

Amazing photographer Elizabeth Messina has launched a new site, Kiss the Groom. It is a beautiful celebration of life and love. It is loaded with some gorgeous imagery, including samplings of some of the only boudoir photos I can stomach! Definitely check it out!

Today, on my lunch break at work, I wrote Dustin a letter. On paper. And because I just have to share the love I have for him, I’m posting the letter here for all to see.

Dustin,

There really aren’t words for the way I feel about you, for the way you have enriched my life. Two years ago, I received my most prized piece of jewelry. It is not a precious diamond, not a golden pendant, not a gleaming ruby. It is a (now) scratched, beat-up, and dull sterling silver bracelet. “Amor Vincit Omni,” it reads. Love. Conquers. All. Since the day you gave me that bracelet, I live my role in our relationship according to that creed. When we were in the early stages of our relationship, 500 miles apart and feeling the strain, love conquered all. When struggling to find a way to close our distance, love conquered all. Through job losses, jealously, financial strain, and unexpected babies, love conquered all. Today, with a financial burden, an empty apartment, a baby on the way, and conflicting work schedules, love is indeed conquering.

I can not imagine what my life would be like now if we hadn’t “clicked.” I truly believe that I was not meant to know a future without you. You are home to me, the warm spot of sun on the floor, the sunny rain in the summer, the sweet spot in a lumpy mattress. You are the cream cheese frosting on my cupcake. I constantly have to remind myself, in these rough times, that no matter what comes our way, we are in it together, and love will always, always conquer all.

I love you yesterday, now, and forever.
Rhonda

I never post anything like this, but this one moved me to tears this morning, and I had to share.  I never watch videos, but was compelled to watch this one.  So glad I did.

 
“Fidelity”: Don’t Divorce… from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Thanks to A Practical Wedding  for sharing.

Slowly but surely, the new blog is coming together!  I still have a lot to do to it, but I’m so glad to have the header done! 

Thanks to the fiance for helping me out with photoshop and wordpress!  And a special thanks to Eric Laurits for allowing me to use his beautiful images that perfectly represent “life,” “love”, and “lipstick.”